Re: Chromodoris purpurea from Israel

July 5, 2006
From: Leslie Harris

Concerning message #17038:

Hi Bill, Fabio, & Joseph --

A Hermodice carunculata eating a healthy nudibranch would be a first. This species has two main feeding modes - scavenging on dying & dead organisms & eating live polyps. Aquarists consider H. carunculata a demon from hell as it can do considerable damage to prized corals, gorgonians, & anemones! The worm engulfs the food item with its everted proboscis. Jaws are lacking; the food item is either swallowed whole or broken down by muscular action of the proboscis & secreted enzymes & then ingested.

It's not unusual for motile organisms to cross paths. Just think of how many shots of nudibranchs crawling on fish or other organisms have been sent to the Forum. I would be very surprised if the fireworm was really responsible for the damage on the Chromodoris.

Regards,
Leslie

lharris@nhm.org

Harris, L.H., 2006 (Jul 5) Re: Chromodoris purpurea from Israel. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17049

Dear Leslie,
Thanks for your comments. I had forgotten that fire worms even lack teeth-like paragnaths on their proboscis. Why I asked Yossi if the worm had more than passing interest in the slug, was that the worm definitely has its head just in the spot where there is damage on the slug's mantle. Perhaps it was attracted to the wound?
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Jul 5). Comment on Re: Chromodoris purpurea from Israel by Leslie Harris. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17049

Factsheet

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